PS3 Firmware (v3.21) Update

The next system software update for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) system will be released on April 1, 2010 (JST), and will disable the “Install Other OS” feature that was available on the PS3 systems prior to the current slimmer models, launched in September 2009. This feature enabled users to install an operating system, but due to security concerns, Sony Computer Entertainment will remove the functionality through the 3.21 system software update.

In addition, disabling the “Other OS” feature will help ensure that PS3 owners will continue to have access to the broad range of gaming and entertainment content from SCE and its content partners on a more secure system.

Consumers and organizations that currently use the “Other OS” feature can choose not to upgrade their PS3 systems, although the following features will no longer be available;

Ability to sign in to PlayStation Network and use network features that require signing in to PlayStation Network, such as online features of PS3 games and chat

Playback of PS3 software titles or Blu-ray Disc videos that require PS3 system software version 3.21 or later

Playback of copyright-protected videos that are stored on a media server (when DTCP-IP is enabled under Settings)

Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later

For those PS3 users who are currently using the “Other OS” feature but choose to install the system software update, to avoid data loss they first need to back-up any data stored within the hard drive partition used by the “Other OS,” as they will not be able to access that data following the update.

Epic Fail Sony!! Instead of taking away features how about you give us some actual good firmware updates? Fix the Facebook application, fix the Netflix application so I can throw away this stupid DVD finally, or heck give us any new/improved feature, so long as you’re keeping the hands that feed you happy!

*dev question* You said that “For those PS3 users who are currently using the “Other OS” feature but choose to install the system software update, to avoid data loss they first need to back-up any data stored within the hard drive partition used by the “Other OS,” as they will not be able to access that data following the update.”

Now I’ve never used this “other OS” feature so before I download the update do I still need to back-up any of my data or can I just download the update since I’ve never used that feature?

wow!! this is a major let down. I am very disappointed. Just because the slim doesn’t have this feature, Sony are taking it out from the older version PS3 too? I guess next time i wont be buying Sony products at launch.

I honestly think (for now) that this is an april fools joke.
update starts on april 1st and the whole thing seems fishy.
im fine with the removal of the feature but why make it the only thing? It’s been a long time since an update and this is all you (sony) came up with? It needs more but I still think its a joke though…

I personally didn’t take “removing the other OS installation feature” negatively.

There were some articles about hackers trying to hack the PS3.
Sony has the right to protect there selves. And by doing this,
they also protect the game developers too.
And I think this move would be very positive for 3rd party developers to develop more games for the PS3.

But I agree with people who are saying that,
the lame part of this firmware 3.21 is that it only subtracts a feature and adds no new features.

“For those PS3 users who are currently using the “Other OS” feature but choose to install the system software update, to avoid data loss they first need to back-up any data stored within the hard drive partition used by the “Other OS,” as they will not be able to access that data following the update.”

Wait…i just read this and noticed that they’re saying to backup your data on a hard drive used by the other OS, and then says you won’t be able to access the data anyway?

A lot of ignorant “April Fools” in this post. You people claiming this is a joke need to take a Business 101 course. Major companies wouldn’t make themselves look this bad just for a joke. The amount of backlash from gaming blogs and comments on here would never be intentional by a major corporation like Sony.

LOL. People need to lighten up a little and get a life seriously. Playstation Blog’s idea of an April Fool’s joke. You emos can carry on sulking until April 1st hits for all I care. I’m outta here. Oh and while you’re at it, set your watches to Japan standard time too since you’re all so accustomed to it. JST FTW. Nice one Sony!

You have, with this move, ASSURED yourself that for the next generation of consoles from your firm I will either a: skip it all together or b: not be an early adopter.

I just paid $200 in Canada to get my 80GB fat fixed (Instead of getting a newer/quieter more reliable slim) in large part because of the dual os nature of my machine…now you are taking that away? I want some compensation.

If not an April Fools joke, this is seriously a “sticking it in and breaking it off” move. Even though I don’t use another OS, this would seriously cause me to lose faith in the console that I have held in such high regard for over ten years.

Any idea if they will remove the goofy way to back up our save files. Meaning I just brought a new PS3 after mine had a recent accident and I can’t use any of my saves on my thumb drive because it says it’s not the right one and I have to restart the game over. I believe this needs to be changed so people like me and others and can back up our saves to our thumb drives and then bring them over to a new PS3 without that hooking both systems up and data transferring way we have to now.

Wow Sony shoots themselves in the foot again. How in the living hell can you call this an update when you are taking a feature away from users that was already on there console. Are you freaking kidding me, this must be a joke. There needs to be a lawsuit against this because it sounds like to me that, You buy a 100% fully featured product and then they company you bought the product from takes 5% of the features out of the product 3 years after you bought it. This is insane, this is something I cant see Microsoft doing. Of all the evil things that are MSoft I have never, NEVER seen them take a feature away from the XBOX’s. SONY YOU JUST MESSED UP BIG TIME and you just lost a customer. I’m trading my PS3 in tomorrow. Unbelievable

@224 and others that read this post wrong:
All of that stuff in the bullet point list are stuff that are unavailable to those that choose not to upgrade. It says that in the sentence above it. Can you not READ? It makes perfect sense if you read it right and not think it’s an April Fools joke.